Source: SFIA
SILVER SPRING, MD – December 12, 2014 – The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced the re-election of Mizuno USA President Bob Puccini as Chairman of the Board for an additional one-year term. Life Fitness President Chris Clawson was elected as Vice-Chairman. SFIA’s Tom Cove will remain as President and CEO. The announcement was made at the conclusion of SFIA’s Annual Meeting on December 8.
“Since we've re-purposed our association and redefined our mission, the SFIA has accomplished quite a bit in the past two years, including the successful launch of the Industry Leaders Summit,” said Puccini. “There is still work to be done though as the industry has chosen to fight against physical inactivity. To that end, everyone that has a vested interest in increasing physical activity and sports and fitness participation needs to rally behind our recently introduced "Increase Participation Plan" (IPP). I am once again, honored, humbled, and proud to have been chosen to help lead the SFIA in support of our mission and the imperatives that support it."
“Under Bob’s leadership, the SFIA has been laser-focused on fulfilling our mission of growing sports and fitness participation,” said Cove. “We look forward to having Bob at the helm as we implement the SFIA Increase Participation Plan.”
The SFIA membership also elected Kurt Tandan (Associate General Counsel & Senior Director of Corporate Affairs; adidas America) to a full term (2015-2017). Those re-elected to the board include: Brian Anderson (CEO; Small Pond Group), Jon Letzler (President; Augusta Sportswear), Robert Parish (President; Jarden Team Sports), and Nathan Pyles (President; Johnson Health Tech N.A.).
Newly elected directors will join existing board members Jim Baugh (President; Jim Baugh Consulting), Jennifer Bendall (Director of Government Affairs; Nike, Inc.), Stephen Binkley (Chief Merchandising Officer; Sports Authority), Melissa Dawson (President; Molten USA), Sarah Fields (President; Century LLC), Larry Franklin (President; Franklin Sports), Jim Gerson (President; Speedo USA), Brian Jennings (Chief Marketing Officer; NHL), Sal LaRocca (President, Global Operations and Merchandising; NBA), Matt LeBretton (Director, Public Affairs; New Balance), Matt Mirchin (President, North America; Under Armour), Neil Morton (President & CEO; Everlast Worldwide), Jeff Padovan (CEO; Bite Tech Inc.), Jim Pisani (President; VF Licensed Sports Group), Michael Savage (CEO; Fitness EM, LLC.), and Kevin Wulff (President & CEO; ASICS America Corp.).
“The names and companies on the SFIA board are impressive. Even more impressive is each board member’s willingness to participate and contribute to an association whose mission and core values he or she truly believes in,” concluded Cove.
ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit www.sfia.org.
